CORK COUNTY JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE (JPC)

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF THE CORK COUNTY JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE (JPC) FOR YEAR ENDING 31 ST DECEMBER

2 Introduction This document constitutes the Annual Report of the Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) for the year ended 31 st December The report has been prepared in the context of the Joint Policing Committee Amended Guidelines 2014 jointly issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government and in specific accordance with Section 36(5) of the Garda Siochana Act Background Legislation: Section 36 (1) of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 provides for the establishment of Joint Policing Committees to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority s administrative area. Functions of a JPC The functions of a JPCs set out in section 36(2) of the Garda Síochána Act, state the following: The Joint Policing Committee s function is to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority s administrative area, and in particular to (a) keep under review - i. the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in that area (including the patterns and levels of misuse of alcohol and drugs),and ii. the factors underlying and contributing to the levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area, (b) advise the local authority concerned and the Garda Síochána on how they might best perform their functions having regard to the need to do everything feasible to improve the safety and quality of life and to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour within the area, 2

3 (c) arrange and host public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the local authority s administrative area, (d) establish, in consultation with the local Garda superintendent, as the committee considers necessary within specific neighbourhoods of the area, local policing fora to discuss and make recommendations to the committee concerning matters that it is to keep under review under paragraph (a) or on which it is to advise under paragraph (b), in so far as those matters affect their neighbourhoods, and (e) co-ordinate the activities of local policing fora under paragraph (d) or otherwise. Section 37(1) also provides: A local authority shall, in performing its functions, have regard to the importance of taking steps to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour within its area of responsibility. JPC Membership The current Cork County JPC was formally established on 26 th January 2015 comprising of 32 no. members drawn from the Cork County administrative area as follows: Name Cllr. Frank O Flynn CHAIR Cllr. Timmy Collins VICE-CHAIR Cllr Kevin Conway Cllr. Joe Carroll Cllr John A Collins Cllr Kay Dawson Cllr. Joe Harris Cllr. Ted Lucey Cllr. Michael Ahern Organisation/ Sector 3

4 Cllr. Kevin Murphy Cllr. June Murphy Cllr. Daithi O Donnabhain Cllr. Cathal Rasmussen Cllr Des O Grady Cllr. Gearoid Murphy Mr Tim Lucey Chief Executive, Ms Nicola Radley, Senior Executive Officer Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council Senator Jerry Buttimer Aindrias Moynihan TD Kevin O Keeffe TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD Sean Sherlock TD Mr Gavin Falk Mr John Fuller Mr Sean Kelly Mr Diarmuid Cronin Mr Tom Howard Mr Liam McCarthy Mr Jim O Leary Chief Superintendent Ger Dillane Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin An Garda Siochana An Garda Siochana An Garda Siochana 4

5 Supports to JPC Meeting supports are provided to the JPC by : Ms Claire Looney O Sullivan, Corporate Services Progress / Achievements in No. JPC statutory meetings held in 2017: o Monday, 27th February 2017 o Monday, 24th April 2017 o Monday, 24th July 2017 o Monday, 23rd October No. JPC Steering Group meetings also held in 2016: o Wednesday 8th February 2017 o Wednesday 12th April 2017 o Wednesday 12th July 2017 o Wednesday 11th October 2017 Monitoring of Levels and Patterns of Crime An Garda Siochana provided detailed quarterly statistical reports to Cork County JPC which kept under review, and responded as appropriate, to the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in Cork County (including the patterns and levels of misuse of alcohol and drugs). Public Meeting A full public meeting was held in the Vertigo Suite, County Hall on the 23 rd October The key-note address was delivered by David Lane, Co- 5

6 ordinator of Drug & Alcohol Services, HSE South and a member of the board of the Southern Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, Mr Lane gave an outline of the proposed Alcohol Bill and an overview of the new National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy. The JPC public meeting was attended by over 40 participants. PPN Representation to the JPC There are seven PPN representatives on the JPC and the JPC PPN Linkage group has c. 40 members. Six-Year Joint Policing Committee Strategy The Cork County Joint Policing Committee Strategic Plan was completed in June The strategy sets out a range of priorities, strategic objectives and strategic actions following an analysis of the county and an extensive consultation process. The plan is intended to deliver on opportunities afforded by maximising cooperation between all of the key actors involved in safety and security of the county by working in a coherent, efficient and integrated manner. It is also intended to link with other appropriate plans and strategies in particular the relevant objectives in the Local Economic and Community Plans that serve County Cork. The Plan is now at implementation stage and an implementation subgroup was formed in 2017 to oversee this stage. Actions identified in 2017 include: Establishment of PPN/JPC Linkage Group 3 meetings held in 2017 Property Asset Log Book issued and expanded to include Kerry & Limerick 20,000 books sold to date 6

7 Community Alert Information sessions ongoing Attendance by Gardai at Community Safety Meetings. JPC Communications Subgroup formed Ongoing operations regarding drink retailers including test purchases and need for staggering of closing times High visibility patrols ongoing to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Representative of Southern Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force Strategic Plan delivered keynote address to Annual JPC Meeting 7

8 NIALL HEALY DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES CORK COUNTY COUNCIL DATE: 28 th May